Sample Script for the School Night for Scouting Joining Night
Start the Recruiting Meeting
Good evening, my name is . Welcome to the Joining night for Pack ____.
We start every Cub Scout meeting with the pledge of allegiance. But before we do that, there are two things that I need to teach the boys.
Boys hold up your right hand. Spread out your pointer finger and middle finger like this (demonstrate). This is the Cub Scout sign. You can remember what it looks like by thinking of a wolf that has his ears up, listening in the woods. Whenever you see a leader do the Cub Scout sign, this means everyone needs to be quiet. Also, when you see the sign, you need to do it too, so everyone gets the message quickly.
Now let me teach you the Cub Scout salute. Let’s start with the Cub Scout sign (demonstrate). Now put your two fingers together and move your hand up to your forehead like this (demonstrate). When we do the pledge of allegiance, everyone is taught to put their right hand over their heart to show respect to the flag. Scouts in uniform do the salute to show the same respect. Even though you don’t have your Cub Scout uniform yet, tonight when we do the pledge of allegiance, you can do the Cub Scout salute for practice.
Ok, now we are ready for the Pledge of Allegiance. Have Cub Scouts or Boy Scouts lead the flag ceremony.
Have any 11 year old boys and their families interested in Boy Scouts meet with troop representative(s) outside of room.
Explain the Cub Scout Program
How many of the parents have been involved in Cub Scouts before? For those of you that are not familiar with the Cub Scout program, let me explain.
Since its beginning, the Cub Scout program has been a fun and educational experience concerned with values. The values we teach are found in the Cub Scout Promise, the Law of the Pack and the character connections activities found in the Cub Scout handbooks.
Besides providing a positive place where boys can enjoy safe, wholesome activities, Cub Scouting focuses on building character, improving physical fitness, teaching practical skills, and developing a spirit of community service.
Cub Scouting is an age-based program. Boys that are in 1st grade, participate with other boys in 1st grade. The age groups in Cub Scouting are: 1st graders are Tiger Cubs, 2nd graders are Wolf Cub Scouts, 3rd graders are Bear Cub Scouts and 4th and 5th graders are Webelos.
Two to three times a month, the different age groups meet. These are called “Den” meetings. Usually, two or three of the parents serve as the den leaders and plan and run the meetings using meeting plans available online. The purpose of the meetings is to help the boys learn how to work together in a group and do activities that will help them earn the awards appropriate for their age group. These meetings can be held any day of the week at any location. The days, time and location are determined by the leader’s schedule.
Each den of Cub Scouts has between 5-10 boys. Our pack has dens. Once a month, all of the dens meet together. This is called a “pack” meeting. Our pack meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at the Catholic Church. Insert your info here _____.
We are meeting here at the school tonight because everyone knows where the school is at. Also, we want to make sure that you understand that your family does not have to be catholic to be involved in our pack. After tonight, all of our pack meetings will be held at the church unless we notify you otherwise.
Each of the boys will need to purchase a handbook from the Scout Shop. The book contains the requirements for the awards they will be working on this year. Every boy earns the Bobcat badge first. The requirements for this badge help the boys learn the basics of Cub Scouting – the Cub Scout salute, sign, handshake, motto, promise, Law of the Pack and a few others. They should be able to earn the Bobcat badge in about one month. The boys will learn and practice these at their den meetings. When the leaders and parents feel that the boy has “done his best” to learn the requirements, they will sign his book. Then at the next pack meeting, the badge will be presented to the Cub Scout in a special ceremony.
For the remainder of the year, the boys will work towards their next badge, which will be Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos or Arrow of Light, depending on the den they are in. These badges take longer to earn, so the boys will earn beads or compass points at their den meetings which signify steps towards their next rank. On occasion, the boys will need to do requirements at home with their parents. The den leaders will let the parents know what they need to do.
In addition to the learning activities the boys will do at their den meetings, they will also have the chance to do “fun” boy activities. The next big event our Cub Scouts will be participating in is called ______. During the rest of the year our pack will have some overnight campouts, a fishing derby, a pinewood derby race, go to the zoo, and go to summer camp. The calendar you received tonight lists all of the events our pack has planned for this year. If you ever have any questions, we have also listed to contact people for our pack. Don’t hesitate to call us.
Boys, do all those activities sound like a lot of fun?
You have been very good listeners tonight, so as a reward, some of our leaders and Boy Scouts are going to take you outside for some games. While you are outside, we are going to talk some more to your parents about signing you up to be a Cub Scout.
(leaders to take boys outside for the games)
Explain Parent Involvement
Parents, we want to take some time to help you fill out the forms and answer questions you may have.
First, let’s take some time to complete the talent survey form. We are asking you to fill this out so we can find the best volunteer job for you to help the pack with. The strength of the Cub Scout program is by having parent involvement. By having each parent do a little bit, none of us get overwhelmed by having to do too much. Also, we have found that boys have a great Cub Scout experience when their parents are involved with them. Also, boys grow up so fast and this is a great way for you to spend quality time with him before he becomes a teenager and doesn’t want to be seen in public with his parents anymore.
Don’t be afraid, we know that most of you don’t know much about Cub Scouting. That’s ok. We will be doing a parent orientation meeting next week to help you get started. At that meeting we will also share with you all of the materials that are available to help you be a volunteer in Scouting. The talent survey you are completing will help us find the right job for you in our pack.
Explain the Costs of Scouting
Now let’s fill out the application form for your son. Make sure to fill in as much information as you can. At the top of the application, it asks for the pack number. Our pack number is
You will also need to know this when you go to the Scout Shop to get a uniform for your son. Also, don’t forget to sign the application on the bottom right hand side.
The cost to join our pack is $. This includes his registration fee, a subscription to Boys’ Life magazine and .
The Boys’ Life magazine your son received tonight is a special miniature version of the monthly magazine. The actual magazine is full sized and will be mailed to your house each month. The articles will be fun for your son to read – or for you to read to him – and will be about things he can do in Scouting.
At the parent meeting next week, we will explain how our fund raiser – the Trail’s End popcorn sale – helps our pack and your family pay for all of the other activities and expenses that will come up during the year.
We want to let you know that no families will be turned away if they can’t afford it. There is registration and uniform assistance available as well as Camperships to help boys go to summer camp. If your family needs assistance, just talk to one of our leaders later tonight.
In the New Family Orientation Guide that you received tonight, the address for the area Scout Shop is listed. We encourage you to visit the Scout Shop before our next meeting to pick up a Cub Scout uniform for your son. The Scout Shop staff will help you get the right items for the uniform. Just remember that your son is a member of Pack xxx.
We will collect the application, talent survey and fees at the end of the meeting tonight. If you are paying by check, please make it payable to Pack xxx.
There is one thing we need you to do before the Parent Orientation meeting. We are very careful to make sure your son has a fun and safe Scouting experience. We have policies in place that make sure the boys are always in a safe environment. To help every parent understand what these policies are, we ask that you complete an online training course called Youth Protection Training. The course takes about 40 minutes to complete. The website address is You will need to create a profile before taking the training. It will ask you for a member id number. Just leave it blank for now. After you complete the training, make sure that you print out the certificate with your name on it and bring to the next meeting. If you have any problems completing the training or printing the certificate, just call one of our leaders.
(Have the boys rejoin the meeting)
Welcome back boys! We are almost done with our meeting. Your parents have filled out the form to join Cub Scouts – you still want to be a Cub Scout don’t you?
Before we have our closing ceremony, remember to turn in the application and talent survey. Our next meeting will be the Parent Orientation meeting, ______at the ______. At that meeting, we will have the sign up forms for the Spook-o-ree on October 26th.
Closing
Share an inspirational thought that emphasizes the importance of family involvement (suggestion – “The Yard Stick Story”)
Closing prayer – explain that at den meetings, the boys may do a closing prayer at the end of the meeting. They will form a living circle by crossing their arms and holding hands or by putting in their right hand with their thumb extended and grab the thumb of the person next to them. Then everyone will repeat the prayer.
Tonight, since we have a large group, I will ask everyone to give the Cub Scout Sign and then repeat after me: “May the great master – of all Scouts – be with us – until we meet again – goodnight Scouts.”
Thank you for joining us tonight and we will see you next week!
Sample Script for Boy Scout Sign-Up Meeting
To Be Held in Conjunction with Cub Scout Sign-Up Meeting
- Pre-Opening – 30 minutes before the opening...... School Night Coordinator
- Have the Troop set up displays (picture boards, tents, awards, pioneering projects, etc. outside, in the hallway, and/or in the breakout room for the 11 year old boys). Have the Pack set up displays (picture boards, pinewood derby track, crafts, etc. Pack displays should be set up in the cafeteria or main meeting room for the school night. Put directional signs on entrance doors with directions to the meeting room.
- Be prepared with pre-opening activities to keep boys and parents involved.
- Meeting can be killed quickly with uncontrolled running, shouting and horseplay.
- Use the following suggestions to keep the group under control.
- Have parents and boys stay seated together at their grade appropriate table
- Have games
- Show of Boy Scout displays
- Have table tents and den/patrol flags to tell people where to sit (by grade). Make sure to have plenty of pens at each table. Direct every boy over 11 years of age to the “Boy Scout” table.
- Utilize current adult leadership to keep boys and parents in assigned room and out of the halls and other areas.
- Have parents fill out the attendance roster as they arrive (this is different than the den roster they fill out later).
- Distribute application, Parent Orientation Guide, Boys’ Life mini-magazine, and any other pack information as people sign in. For boys over 11 years of age, give them an application, Boys’ Life mini-magazine, and other troop information as people sign in.
- Have parents fill out the application, den/patrol roster sheet after they are seated at the correct table. This will be used by the Den Leader/Scoutmaster to find out who is in their den/troop and to make sure they are contacted about the first den/troop meeting.
OpeningSchool Night Coordinator
Good evening and welcome everyone. I am ______, and I have been a Scout leader for ______. I am looking forward to spending some time with you this evening and sharing with you how you can get involved with your son in a great family program.
Our goal this evening is to accomplish the three things outlined on the first page of the Parent’s Guide:
- Inform you about the Cub Scouting or Boy Scouting program
- Sign up boys for Cub Scouting/Boy Scouting - now how many boys here want to be a Cub Scout/Boy Scout? Show me your hand.
- Organize our dens/patrols.
I would like to start off our evening with an opening ceremony by Scouts of Pack/Troop ______.
(Scouts to conduct a brief opening ceremony and/or posting of colors, Pledge of Allegiance, etc.)
(After the Pledge of Allegiance, 11 year olds are dismissed to another room for their portion of the meeting. Scoutmaster/Assistant Scoutmaster runs the 11 year-old breakout. The school Night team continues on with the Cub Scout School Night.
Boy Scout Breakout
Have the Senior Patrol Leader show contents of his backpack and explain what they need to bring camping, and how to pack it. Focus on items that the boy most likely already has so he/his parents don’t have to go out and purchase new camping materials immediately. Hand out the “Your first campout” materials list and tell time/date/location of their first campout. Have them bring these materials to the first troop meeting to make sure they are properly prepared. Explain that the troop meets weekly (time/date/location) to review/learn skills needed on campouts and to plan outings.
While the Senior Patrol Leader is doing this with the “Scouts”, the Scoutmaster can talk to the parents about the troop. Talk about troop meeting times, campouts, and troop committee times. Hand out annual program plan to parents and briefly review. Explain how parents can be involved in the Boy Scout program such as troop committee and Assistant Scoutmaster positions. Ask parents to complete applications and collect registration fees which should be turned in with the Cub Scout School Night applications to the School Night Coordinator or District Scout Executive. Registration materials will be available with the School Night crates.
Boy Scout Recruiting
Your First Outdoor Campout
_____Backpack (and/or large sports equipment bag, and/or duffel bag. Line it with a lawn bag first, to
keep contents dry.)
_____Sleeping Bag (or blankets)
_____Closed-cell foam camp sleeping pad
_____Raincoat or Poncho
_____Warm Jacket
_____Extra pair of pants
_____Sweater and/or Sweatshirt
_____Long sleeve shirt
_____Short sleeve shirt
_____Underwear
_____Hat
_____Mess-kit (bowl, cup, fork, spoon, plate)
_____ 2 one-quart water bottles
_____Flashlight and extra batteries
_____Small first aid kit
_____ Pen and pocket notepad/ Boy Scout Handbook
_____Personal Toiletries (Toothbrush, toothpaste, small hand soap, comb, towel, toilet paper, etc.)
Adult Leader Recruitment
“The Yardstick Story”
Supply needed – Yardstick